Things to do in Penyengat Island
Sultan Riau Grand Mosque
Penyengat Island Tour
Explore the historic island of Bintan, home to kings and sultans. Exploring this island will enrich your knowledge of Bintan’s past. A trip to Penyengat Island may be on your list when visiting Bintan Island or Tanjung Pinang. You can book this trip with us at Visit Bintan Island for an impressive experience and friendly service. Here’s how to get to Penyengat Island and what you can do while you’re there.
Profile of Penyengat Island:
Welcome to Penyengat Island
Penyengat Island, or Penyengat Inderasakti Island as referred to in historical sources, is a small island located approximately 2 km from , the center of government. The island is 2,000 meters long and 850 meters wide, located approximately 35 km from . The island can be reached from by motorboat, or more commonly known as a pompong, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Penyengat Island is one of the tourist attractions in . On this island, there are various historical relics, including the Sultan Riau Grand Mosque made of egg white, the tombs of kings, the tomb of national hero , the Palace Office complex, and a defensive fort on Bukit Kursi. Since , Penyengat Island and the palace complex on Penyengat Island have been nominated to be one of the .P
According to legend, this small island at the mouth of the river has been known to sailors for centuries as a stopping point to collect which is abundant on the island. There are no written records about the origin of the island’s name. However, according to local folklore, the name comes from the name of an animal that has stingers. According to the story, there were sailors who violated the rules when collecting water, so they were attacked by hundreds of poisonous insects. This animal was then called penyengat, and the island was called Penyengat Island. Meanwhile, the Dutch called the island Mars Island.
How to get to Penyengat Island:
Motor bike taxi on Penyengat Island
The trip to Penyengat Island begins with a visit to Pelantar 1 pier, located on Jalan Post in Tanjung Pinang City. This is the meeting point for tourists and locals heading to Penyengat Island. To get there, you must take a boat and pay IDR 9,000. The trip to the island takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Upon arrival at Penyengat Island, tourists can explore the location by motorized rickshaw. The fare for a tourist trip by motorized rickshaw is IDR 50,000 for three passengers, with a trip duration of about one hour. Tourists can stay longer at certain locations and then be picked up again upon request.
Our experience was very pleasant, our driver was always very reliable and helpful
” Our experience was very pleasant. Our driver Dody messaged me well in advance, and met me at Four Points Hotel Lobby, recognized me from the photo I sent, took my luggage, drove me to his car, loaded my luggage, gave me a bottle of water, and drove me to the hotel. His English was good, we chatted about various things during the trip. Later we contracted him for trips to different destinations in Bintan, he was always very reliable and helpful. I feel grateful to Dody and all his help, and Visit Bintan Island for this initial contact. “
Zul Hilmi
Malaysia
Places to visit on Penyengat Island:
Bukit Penggawa Fort
1. Bukit Penggawa Fort on Penyengat Island: This fort is one of the most famous historical relics on Penyengat Island. Built in 1808, this fort offers breathtaking panoramic views and provides insight into life in the past.
2. Bukit Ujung Fort on Penyengat Island: This fort is also an important historical site on the island. Located at the southern tip of Penyengat Island, the fort offers beautiful views and is an ideal place to enjoy the sunset.
3. Bukit Kursi, Penyengat Island: Bukit Kursi is a small hill that served as a resting place for the Sultan of Riau in the past. From the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the island and the surrounding sea.
4. Old Pier of Penyengat Island: This pier has historical value because it was used as the departure point for the sultans of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate in the past. Today, the local community still uses this pier as a traditional port.
5. Riau Islands Provincial Government BPLH Building: This building is the center for environmental management on Penyengat Island and is part of the Riau Islands Provincial Government.
6. Pulau Penyengat Judges’ Building: This building was once used as a courtroom by judges during the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. Currently, the building is granted right of use to the local community.
Gunpowder Building
7. Pulau Penyengat Gunpowder Building: This building has a history related to the use of gunpowder in the past. Now, this building has also been given the right of use to the community.
Office Building
8. Ali Marhum Palace, Penyengat Island Office: This palace was once the official residence of Sultan Ali Marhum, the former Sultan of Riau-Lingga. Today, the building is used as a local government office.
9. Engku Putri Palace on Penyengat Island: This palace was the residence of Engku Putri, a prominent woman in the history of Penyengat Island. The palace has also been granted right of use to the local community.
10. Penyengat Island Office Palace: This palace was once used as the administrative office of the Riau-Linggae.
Sultanate. Now, this building has been given to the community for us
11. Marewah King’s Palace on Penyengat Island: This palace was the former residence of King Marewah and also has great historical value. This building is a must-visit for history lovers.
12. Kecik Pool on Penyengat Island: This pool is a freshwater bathing place that was commonly used by the royal family in the past. Now, this pool can also be used by visitors.
13. Raja Muda Pool on Penyengat Island: This pool was once used as a place for the Crown Prince to play in the water. Today, the pool is still well maintained and can be enjoyed by visitors.
Goverment Complex Building
14. Riau Islands Provincial Government Complex: This complex is the provincial government center on Penyengat Island. These buildings also have important historical value.
15. Perigi Putri Pulau Penyengat: This well was once used by the princesses of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate to meet their water needs. Now, this well has been given to the community for their use.
Perigi Sulu
16. Suluk Well on Penyengat Island: This well is also a freshwater well used by the local community. Visitors can visit this well to see historical relics.
17. Engku Emi’s House on Penyengat Island: This traditional house was once the residence of Engku Emi, a prominent community figure. The house has also been granted right of use to the community.
18. Engku Iman House on Penyengat Island: This house was once the residence of Engku Iman, one of the influential figures on Penyengat Island. The house has also been given to the community for their use..
19. King David’s House (Stone House) on Penyengat Island: This house has a unique architecture with walls made of stone. The house is given to the community for use and can be visited by tourists.
20. Bahjah Palace Site and Penyengat Island Beach Park: This site was once a palace complex where the sultans of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate used to rest. Currently, this site has been granted right of use to the community.
Kedaton Palace Site
21. Kedaton Palace Site on Penyengat Island: This site is the former palace of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, which was the residence of the sultan and his family. This site has also been granted right of use to the local community.
22. Penyengat Island Sea Palace Site: This site is a former sea palace that was once used by the Sultan of Riau-Lingga for hunting and recreational activities at sea.
Cuisine:
Grilled fish from Penyengat Island
A trip would not be complete without enjoying the local cuisine. On Penyengat Island, culinary spots are easy to find and not far from the arrival pier.
The island offers the delight of fresh seafood with unique spices, such as grilled fish with thick red sauce, served with spicy and slightly sour chili paste and pickled chili paste. Another option is fresh spicy and sour fish soup that will tantalize your taste buds when you are hungry.
While waiting for the fish and other seafood to be cooked, visitors will be offered a serving of grilled fish otak-otak wrapped in coconut leaves. The fish otak-otak on Penyengat Island is red in color and has the distinctive aroma of the coconut leaves that wrap it.
This snack is served as is after being grilled, without any sambal for dipping. There are two types of fish otak-otak: one made from fish and the other from squid. The pieces of fish or squid still retain their texture, with a savory taste and a hint of spiciness.